Chapter Twenty-Two: Another Trouble with a Young Heartthrob

The production team’s vehicle sped along, swift and steady, quickly arriving at the competition venue.

This round was open to the public, and the residents of Tong County could come to watch.

The Tong County Theater was an open-air stage, most frequently used by the local art university for their performances.

Many groups from the university would be participating in this competition as well.

Upon arrival, Old Wang sought out the folk music ensemble.

“Hey? It looks like we’re missing an aunt,” Su Zitan glanced around. The aunt who had ordered food yesterday was nowhere to be seen.

“Ah, Zhu Juan... Her son and daughter-in-law are going through a divorce. The child had originally been granted to their side, but she said that last night her daughter-in-law secretly took the child back.”

“Family troubles?”

“Yes,” Old Wang sighed helplessly. “But it’s alright. Our ensemble has three pipas; missing one won’t be an issue.”

As Old Wang spoke, his gaze drifted to the other side, where the Western music ensemble stood.

They were all dressed in suits and evening gowns, looking far more sophisticated than his own group.

“No worries, Uncle Wang. If we make it past the preliminary round, I’ll have some performance outfits sent over,” Su Zitan said generously, smiling. “My family makes them. They’ll look fabulous.”

There weren’t many people in the theater today—just a smattering of audience members, barely filling the seats, perhaps around one or two hundred.

The first group was already on stage. Lin Ze spotted a bunch of young men, presumably from the local university.

The one in the front was holding a microphone, rattling off words so quickly it was impossible to catch what he was saying.

Behind him, two others wore safety helmets and spun around while doing headstands.

At the very back, it looked like street dance, but their arms and legs were stiff, making the moves resemble a social shuffle more than anything.

[Too many elements… Hard to judge.]

[I can’t stand rap, especially when the lyrics are unclear.]

[Lin, your song was good. When will you sing another one?]

“This…” Su Zitan opened her mouth, unsure what to say.

“The singer’s pretty decent. I plan to sign him once he graduates,” a voice suddenly sounded behind Lin Ze.

Lin Ze turned, puzzled, to see a delicate-faced young man, half a head shorter than himself, speaking to Su Zitan.

It wasn’t an insult—the man’s skin was genuinely pale.

On this hot day, it was easy to see the makeup caking on his face.

He wore shorts and a T-shirt, like an athlete, but his arms and legs were thin.

Lin Ze glanced down and noticed even his leg hair had been shaved clean.

[Who is this guy? Even after seven days dead, I wouldn’t be as pale as him.]

[Li Xiangyu! Oh my, Xiangyu! Didn’t he go back to his alma mater to visit the principal? Why is he here too?]

[What’s going on? Just walked in and already showing his legs? Wait… damn, it’s a guy? Xiao Qian, what are you doing!]

Su Zitan paid him no mind, still frowning as she tried to interpret the art unfolding on stage.

---

“Miss Su?”

Hearing herself addressed, Su Zitan snapped out of her thoughts, turning around with a startled shake.

“Damn!”

[Haha, that curse was so real!]

[What’s wrong with Su Zitan? She’s being totally disrespectful to my idol!]

Li Xiangyu had debuted on a talent show. Halfway through, he joined Zhang Huai’s Hanhai Entertainment.

He sang melancholic ballads for two years without success, but then shot up to second-tier status with “I’m Your Little Puppy.”

Fan numbers…

Lin Ze touched his chin; discounting the paid ones, Li likely had more fans than himself.

Meanwhile, Lin Ze’s livestream suddenly flooded with Li Xiangyu’s supporters.

[Who’s insulting my idol? Is it Lin Ze again?]

[Lin Ze, you #*%￥…]

[User ‘My One Little Xiangyu’ has been banned.]

“Hello, Miss Su. I’m Li Xiangyu,” Li Xiangyu extended his hand to Su Zitan.

“Who is this?” Su Zitan whispered.

Lin Ze shrugged, “A self-promoting puppy.”

“Huh?”

[Hahahaha!]

[That’s digging up old history!]

[Lin Ze, you #%￥*…]

“Lin Ze, you…”

Li Xiangyu’s youthful smile vanished instantly, his glare sharp as a hound.

Back then, Li Xiangyu and Zhang Yang had debuted together on the talent show.

By the semifinals, some fans began shipping them as a couple. Li Xiangyu saw the trend and immediately latched onto the company’s young heir.

“He might be…well, not straight,” Lin Ze whispered to Su Zitan. “He likes Zhang Yang. Back then, he…”

“What?” Su Zitan’s eyes widened. “Your entertainment circle is really chaotic!”

“Enough! Cut it out!”

Li Xiangyu wanted to slam the table, but there was no table nearby, so he stomped his foot instead.

“…”

Not just Lin Ze and Su Zitan, even the nearby elders were stunned, unable to tell if he was male or female.

“Alright, let’s not talk about it,” Su Zitan quickly changed the subject.

---

Li Xiangyu’s lips curled upward.

They say wealthy women like little puppies—seems it’s true.

My move to undercut them is sure to work…

“Look how anxious the big sister is.”

“You—you…”

Li Xiangyu was so angry his head hurt.

“What are you after? What do you want?” Lin Ze frowned at him. “We’re still filming this variety show. You just barged in? Who’s responsible for the disruption?”

Li Xiangyu took a deep breath. “What disruption? I’m a contestant too, just recommended by the university. I don’t need to join the preliminaries.”

“Then why are you here for the preliminaries? Don’t you know we’re disguising our identities?”

Lin Ze showed no mercy. “Stop interfering. Have some sense.”

“Who are you talking to? I…”

Even Old Wang couldn’t stand it anymore.

“What’s wrong with you, kid? Can’t you show some respect when speaking to your elders?”

“He’s old enough to be your father!”

“I… That’s just makeup, old man!” Li Xiangyu’s hands trembled with rage.

[He’s getting worked up!]

[What do you mean, worked up? My idol’s being bullied by these two, what qualities do you expect?]

[His fans are worked up too!]

Two casually dressed staff members approached, speaking politely.

“Mr. Li, please don’t interfere with our filming.”

Li Xiangyu gritted his teeth. “I know you’ll definitely pass the preliminaries, so in the finals, let’s have a match. Tonight, come to my school. The students will judge us.”

“…How much is your school paying me? You want me to perform for you? Are you crazy?”

“….” Li Xiangyu’s lips twitched.

This… He was completely unprepared for that response.

“How much do you want? Isn’t your show about earning money with this identity? I can pay!”

“How much is the school paying you?” Lin Ze laughed. “Just give me a third.”

“…Fine! It’s a deal!”